New list of 'grave crimes' belies intent
Sister
Teresita Kambeitz, OSU
It is regrettable that the crime of clergy sexual abuse of minors was linked with the issue of women’s ordination in the Vatican’s recent revised list of “more grave crimes.” No matter how much Msgr. Charles Scicluna, the promoter of justice at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, claims that these revised norms “send a clear signal that the church is serious about protecting children and punishing abusive priests,” the linking of these two unrelated issues seriously undermines the intended strong stance on clerical sexual abuse on at least three counts.
First, it appears to be a diversionary tactic, deflecting attention
away from the seriousness of the crime of clerical sexual abuse of minors.
To many, it will once again seem to be an attempt at cover-up on the
part of the hierarchy.
Second, the fact that punishment
is more severe for priests who support women’s ordination (excommunication)
than it is for priests who rape children (no excommunication) again
appears to mask the seriousness of sexual abuse. What moral grounds
can possibly justify milder punishment for committing sexual sins against
children than for believing that women, created in the image and likeness
of God, can validly represent the risen Lord in the faith community?
(Furthermore, the timing
of this extremely negative decree on the ordination question reflects
a rather callous insensitivity to the feelings of Catholic women, already
in deep pain over the official ban placed on discussion of the topic.
Are we to believe that all this is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit?)
Third, this soft-pedalling
of the sexual abuse issue will seriously weaken the teaching voice of
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. As our official teachers
and guides, they are to adhere to the centuries old principle of sensus
fidelium and listen to the people they are called to serve. If
they were doing so, they would hear the pain of the victims of clerical
sexual abuse without obfuscating the issue by linking it with the topic
of women’s ordination.
For those of us who love our church, it hurts to see the already eroded credibility of church leaders become even more eroded by this apparent glossing over of the heinous crime of sexual abuse of children.
Furthermore, it is disheartening
to see the teaching authority of our leaders undermined by their own
actions which seemingly distort the Gospel message of Jesus.
May I point out respectfully that the treatment recommended by Jesus for those who scandalize little ones was fastening a great millstone around their neck and having them drowned in the depth of the sea (Mt. 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk. 17:2), while in selecting proclaimers of the all-important good news of the resurrection, Jesus chose women.
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